A warehouse belonging to Indian pharmaceutical giant Kusum was hit by a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, according to statements released by Ukraine’s embassy in India. The embassy accused Russia of deliberately targeting Indian businesses, calling the strike a “calculated attack” on vital medical supplies meant for Ukrainian civilians.

“Today, a Russian missile struck the warehouse of Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum in Ukraine. While claiming ‘special friendship’ with India, Moscow deliberately targets Indian businesses—destroying medicines meant for children and the elderly,” said a statement from the Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi.

However, subsequent reports from Ukrainian and British officials suggest the attack was carried out using drones, not missiles. Martin Harris, the British Ambassador to Ukraine, confirmed in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), that Russian drones incinerated a major pharmaceuticals warehouse in Kyiv, adding that medicines for the elderly and children were lost in the strike.

Kusum, owned by Indian entrepreneur Rajiv Gupta, is considered one of the largest pharmaceutical companies operating in Ukraine. The firm plays a crucial role in providing essential medicines across the country, making this strike particularly significant and damaging.

Sources told NDTV that the drone made a direct hit on the warehouse, resulting in massive fire damage and the destruction of vital medical inventory.

The incident has sparked outrage among Indian and Ukrainian observers, raising questions about the safety of Indian investments and operations in conflict zones. It also places further strain on international relations, as Russia continues its campaign of airstrikes targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

While Russia has yet to comment on the specific strike, Kyiv reiterated its accusation that Moscow’s actions are part of a broader strategy to terrorize civilians and weaken Ukraine’s health and logistics networks.

As investigations continue, diplomatic tensions are expected to escalate, particularly as India balances its traditionally strong ties with both Russia and Ukraine.